I was recently asked during a casual conversation what I know for sure. I was asked what finite things or what absolute facts I felt with the most certainty and the most confidence, what I knew to be true and honest. After thinking for a while, staring blankly into space, wondering and trying to gather words into sentences, I realized that there are many things I know, but little that I know for sure. Subsequently and embarrassingly, after being unable to give an answer during this conversation and eventually going home, I decided to grab a notepad and a pen and write down the answers to that question. The list was not too long, only about 11 ideas graced the paper, some of which I can’t share via the public platform, but the five things I can are five things that I know one hundred percent without second guessing myself.
First and foremost, I know that many things have had an impact on my life, both in positive and negative ways. Divulging into my personal story, I struggled with bullying during my middle school career. I placed the opinions of others about me before my own opinions of myself. I struggled with realizing that it didn’t matter what others thought about me because in the end the only opinion that mattered was my own. It took a suicide attempt, a visit to the guidance counselor and a bookshelf full of books to realize this, but I finally grasped the idea that I matter. Once I understood and accepted that, I was a changed person.
Secondly, I know that books, like my personal story, have the ability to change us on so many levels, levels that we didn’t know existed. When I have a problem, I grab a book to read myself out of it. Reading creates a secondary world that I can escape to and that is a truly magical and beautiful thing.
Thirdly, I know for sure that Longwood University is the best university in the world. Longwood has always had and will always have something special that puts it above the rest. Sure, we lack a football team. We lack a huge campus. We lack a functioning Starbucks, but we make up for what we lack in our amazing desire to serve others. We make up for it with an almost supernatural or magical spirit, one that encompasses the students, faculty and visitors to our campus each and every day
Fourthly, I know for sure that friendships are the cornerstones of good relationships. Without friendships, our lives would be very different. Friendships are something far more powerful than we realize. In essence, friends are family that are not bound to us by blood, but have the same decency, respect and dedication as our family. We would not think twice before taking a bullet for a family member, and the same goes for a friend. That is so remarkable.
And the last thing I know for sure is that love is a real but intangible thing. It may sound a bit corny, but it is honestly without a doubt the most important thing that I know. Love, more than anything else, is the most powerful thing of all. Love supersedes differences, love conquers hate and prejudice and love has the ability to affect how we treat others.
When you get a moment, sit down with a pen and paper and think about what you know for sure. Allow your mind to open up to the endless possibilities and let the ideas flow. Inspire change, read a good book to escape you problems, enjoy Longwood and encourage spirit, create friendships and most of all, love.
